ThePRAIRIE
Vol. 103, Issue 2
October 16, 2018
Serving the West Texas A&M University community since 1919
Illustration by Layce Donnell/The Prairie
10 YEARS AFTER THE CRASH THAT WARPED AMERICA
Read the full story on page 7
Campus takes on energy reduction project PAGE 3
WTAMU hosts debate on the death penalty PAGE 6
facebook.com/theprairiewt
Communication Hall of Fame PAGE 11
Old-school vibes on the Canyon square PAGE 12
Buffs play last homecoming at Kimbrough PAGE 15 @The_Prairie
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RESOURCES
CRIME ON CAMPUS By Jo Lowry Senior Reporter
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October 16, 2018
THE MARKET MONTHLY By Jelan Hutton This month, we once again saw the historic bull market continue its march upwards. Both the DOW and S&P 500 hit new all-time highs during the month. Similar to the beginning of September, we have seen a pullback in the market since the start of October which made the NASDAQ go down towards the end of the past 4 weeks. Time will tell whether we once again hit new highs or the market trends down going forward. Keep your eyes on the market and stay tuned as we start the fourth quarter and take on the holidays. S&P 500
S&P 500 (+0.29%)
2,940.00 2,930.00 2,920.00 2,910.00 2,900.00 2,890.00 2,880.00 2,870.00 2,860.00 2,850.00
DOWJ
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DOW (+2.28%)
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27000 26800 26600 26400 26200 26000 25800 25600 25400
NASDAQ
25200
pt . Se 10 pt . Se 11 pt . Se 12 pt . Se 13 pt . Se 14 pt . Se 17 pt . Se 18 pt . Se 19 pt . Se 20 pt . Se 21 pt . Se 24 pt . Se 25 pt . Se 26 pt . Se 27 pt .2 8 O ct .1 O ct .2 O ct .3 O ct .4 O ct .5
NASDAQ (-1.71%)
8,100.00
Se
Possession of marijuana 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Stafford Hall Minor in consumption of alcohol 1:46 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in the Virgil Henson Activities Center parking lot
8,050.00 8,000.00 7,950.00 7,900.00
7,800.00 7,750.00 7,700.00 7,650.00
Source: data retrieved from finance.yahoo.com
STAFF OF THE PRAIRIE
Editors Hannah Nelson Alyssa Gonzales Tova Kibal
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Sexual Assault 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, in Ruth Cross Hall
7,850.00
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Theft 2:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, in the Virgil Henson Activities Center
Reporters Jo Lowry Savannah Wesley Allegra Mora
Photographer Layce Donnell
Advertising Manager Esteban Ponce Adviser Dr. Nancy Garcia
The Prairie is a student-operated newspaper at West Texas A&M University. It functions to inform, educate and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or staff. The Prairie verifies the legitimacy of the advertising appearing in The Prairie, but cannot be held liable for any advertising claim made in this publication. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by Morris Publishing. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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NEWS
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Energy reduction project sparks green initiative at WT Tova Kibal Features Editor West Texas A&M University is looking to save $1.1 million annually in energy costs with the implementation of the energy reduction project starting this year. The campus will undergo a variety of nature-friendly changes over the next 12 months, guaranteed to save water and energy for years to come. According to Stan A. Peña, director of facilities and construction, the water and energy savings will completely pay for the total project cost of $14.4 million. “Perhaps some of the most noticeable changes will be in brighter exterior buildings, parking lots and walkway lighting that will improve night time safety [and] mobility throughout campus,” Peña said. Crews will be converting light fixtures to LED type which gives a “cleaner and better temperature level of light” according to Tadhi Hayes, unit director of SSC Service Solutions facilities. Students can expect to see crews working all over campus beginning December this year. “Lighting in spaces might actually be brighter when they leave, but we’re
actually using less energy because of the attributes of the LED fixture,” Hayes said. Other improvements on campus include upgrades of electrical equipment and water usage. In addition to the money savings, the project is a step towards a more eco-friendly campus. “In addition to annual energy and water savings, the university realize[s] an annual carbon reduction benefit that is the equivalent to removing 2,050 passenger cars from the road,” Peña said, “or carbon dioxide emissions from over 1,061,040 gallons of gasoline consumed annually.” The gradual movement towards renewable energies is a state-wide trend, as electricity usage from wind turbines in Texas has grown from 2.2 to 15 percent in the last 10 years, according to the United States Energy Information Administration. “Parts of Texas have lots of wind, which is why developers have put up so many turbines. The state also gets lots of sun, so solar panels could, over time, become another major source of energy there,” The New York Times wrote in an editorial about
the economy and climate policies on Sunday, July 15, this year. Randy Rikel, vice president for business and finance, worked with the Texas A&M System to explore energy saving initiatives according to Peña. Peña explained that Rikel values keeping the costs of students’ education as affordable as possible while helping the environment. “Less dependence on these resources will help our environment in the long run while still providing our students a safe and secure place to study, live and learn,” Rikel said in a press release on WTAMU’s website. Hayes explained that the school has a performancebased contract with Ameresco Inc., a energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions company. Ameresco has guaranteed WTAMU energy savings, a “performance,” and will come to the campus and implement the changes themselves. They determined what changes will be made by visiting the campus and doing an extensive study of the university. “So in other words, if they come in and they do lighting retrofit, our
utilities bill should decrease a percentage based on the numbers of fixtures they retrofit,” Hayes said. “So we should see those energy savings monthly as we move forward.”
Students can learn more about the initiative and changes on campus at the kick off meeting, date and time to be determined soon by Facilities and Construction at WTAMU.
Illustration by Tova Kibal/The Prairie
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NEWS
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October 16, 2018
2018’s Midterms Tova Kibal Features Editor
Illustration by Tova Kibal/The Prairie
The battle for voting rights in the United States was arguably a long and imperfect struggle, a gradual development from white men to African American men and eventually women. The 15th Amendment was adopted into the U.S. Constitution in 1870, giving African American men the right to vote, but the promise would not fall fully into place until almost a century later when the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965. While the political system still remains a work in progress today, the right to vote is an essential and basic right of a U.S. citizen. Still, at least 40 percent of citizens didn’t execute that right in the last presidential election according to the United States Elections Project. Voting turnout is low nationwide, and turnout in Texas is among the lowest in the country. Those between the ages 18 to 24 vote the least, and the numbers drop even more during nonpresidential elections. The midterms are an example of a nonpresidential election with historically low voter turnout. This November, midterm voters will make decisions such as who sits
midterm voters will make decisions such as who sits in the U.S. Senate, who represents their district in the U.S. House and in the long run, what policies pass in their cities and counties. “You’re not throwing your voice out there [if you’re not voting]. You, as an individual, it is easier to change what is happening in your city than it is nationwide,” said Daniel Winton, senior political science major. “...It is always important to vote, and you’re not just voting for a person, but you’re voting for policies or ideas.” The impact of local voting became apparent in a recent election in Winton’s hometown Pampa, Texas, where citizens voted on whether businesses, who aren’t liquor stores, could sell liquor or not. “It’s very important because you just need to ask yourself: well how would I feel if I couldn’t go to a restaurant and have a margarita? You couldn’t do that in Pampa, and there is a lot of small stuff like that you want to vote for,” Winton said. “... Voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the presidential election is not going to get Pampa to be a wet city.” Continued on page 5
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NEWS
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“Some people gave their life” for voter rights From Page 4
The upcoming midterms will decide the competitive race for U.S. Senate between Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke. Cruz is running for his second term as a U.S. Senator. The two candidates have vastly different standpoints when it comes to many policies including, but not limited to, the environment and agriculture, immigration, women’s health and the Second Amendment. Texans will also vote on seven additional statewide positions, including the governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor. Six other positions on the November ballot are for the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s two highest courts. Apart from the statewide races, voters determine who represents them on a local level by voting for a representative in each of the 36 U.S. House districts that Texas is divided into. “Most people only vote in the presidential elections, but I would say to vote in every chance you get,” Winton said, “especially in the midterms or even city and local because the closer you get to you, the more it
impacts you.” Dr. Dave Rausch, Teel Bivins professor of political science, believes participation can make a big difference in local issues, especially in elections where it often comes down to only a few votes. “Voting can be difficult, but it is not difficult physically,” Rausch said. “... I think the real issue is that a lot of folks don’t know what they’re
voting for.” There are split opinions on why turnout is so low. Demographics, attitudes, lack of party identification and voter culture could all play a role in the numbers, as well as restrictions on registering opportunities, early voting, voting times and locations. “If lawmakers wanted everybody to vote, they would make it easier,” wrote
Illustration by Tova Kibal/The Prairie
Texas Tribune executive editor Ross Ramsey on Sept. 12, 2016, arguing that the blame of low voter turnout be put on the lawmakers, not on the voters. According to Rausch, voter turnout is especially low among minority groups in Texas and non-participation can be an evil circle, as the likelihood to vote is lower if the parents don’t vote themselves. “Because their parents aren’t voters themselves, the kids don’t learn to vote,” Rausch said. Senior WTAMU student Chris Jackson often talks to people about the importance of voting, as he says it is his “moral duty to embolden people that their voice matters.” Jackson is a political science major, and wants to take on a career in politics in the future. “I feel with the current political climate, no matter where you lie on the spectrum, people definitely need to take action and actually voice out their political opinion and make sure you get people in office that represent those opinions,” Jackson said. The fight for voter freedom stretches far outside the American borders, and elections are becoming increasingly democratic and
fair globally, according to globalcitizen.org. Despite the democratic growth, voter rights are not to be taken for granted as there are still people living under dictatorships and tyranny worldwide, without a say in who their leaders are. Not long ago, this was the case for many Americans too. It hasn’t even been a 100 years since voter rights were granted to all Americans. Social reformers such as Frederick Douglass, Lucy Stone, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ida B. Wells and many more fought tirelessly for all citizens’ right to vote, and they are to thank for the freedom of American democracy that we can enjoy today. “I say to each and every one of you, in the best way I can. I gave a little blood on the bridge, but some people gave their lives,” civil rights leader John Lewis said at the White House’s “South by South Lawn” festival in 2016. “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it. And so you must go out all across America and tell young people, and people not so young, tell all of us: Vote. The vote is powerful.”
6 NEWS
October 16, 2018
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WTAMU discusses death penalty in Texas
Allegra Mora Senior Reporter The Criminal Justice department hosted a debate showcasing the pros and cons of the death penalty at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 in the Jack B. Kelley Legacy Hall. James Farren represented support for capital punishment. Jeff Blackburn was in opposition and Keith Price was neutral by saying Photo By Allegra Mora/ The Prairie the government needed to Jeff Blackburn defending his argument to end the death penalty. provide more reform to the “You show me your have the option of good justice professor and retired death penalty. Each had 15 experts, I’ll show you mine,” representation. Blackburn’s warden. Price was neither for minutes to defend their case. This was followed by a public Farren said. “ [But] everyone main claim throughout the nor against the death penalty. will go home believing the debate was the fact that the Price was for reforming what forum discussion. Farren is a criminal same thing as when they judicial system is not fair is in place so far. enough to effectively have the “There’s no fool-proof justice instructor as well as arrived.” Jeff Blackburn is a defense death penalty. system,” Price said. “A real a Randall county district “Our system just isn’t threat to the death penalty is attorney. He is in support attorney and a founder of the Innocence Project. good enough to justify killing equal protection under the of the death penalty and believes the effects it has in Blackburn defended his people,” Blackburn said. law”. Price explained the criminal justice system argument against capital “We don’t have a fair enough punishment in Texas. system in Texas to justify alternatives to the death are beneficial. “Do we as a government killing people.” penalty and experimental “There’s some people deserve to kill people?” Blackburn said the death protocol towards capital you can’t fix,” Farren said. penalty is not a moral punishment. Price went on “What are you gonna do Blackburn said. The non-profit punishment or an emotional to ask if there were crimes with Jeffrey Dahmer and organization, Innocence win, but a legal penalty. that were so terrible, the only Ted Bundy? You can’t fix Project, helps people who “We’re a long way from retribution would be the them.” have been wrongly convicted having a perfect system,” death penalty. The debate about the “There’s some events death penalty is common of crimes they did not Blackburn said. Blackburn went on to that the only appropriate among many. Farren commit and assists in getting those convictions overturned. say the current system is retribution is to forfeit their explained he has had this Blackburn explained the politicized and needed to life,” Price said. debate with many different purpose of the organization be reformed in order to be Price also argued that people many times, but will still have their opinions is to help low-income citizens effective. Agreeing with an alternative to capital who would not otherwise Blackburn was Price, criminal punishment would be about the death penalty.
incapacitation. This is when you take someone dangerous and seclude them in order to make them less of a threat. Price claimed murder rates have been shown to be the same with or without capital punishment being an option. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, there have been eight executions in 2018 with the most recent being on July 17. The average waiting time on death row prior to execution is 10.87 years. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, since its reinstatement in 1976, Texas leads the United States in number of executions. Texas, California, Florida and Pennsylvania have the highest death row populations in the nation. Farren ended his argument by showing the victims and their families to the public. In particular, he showed the victims of Kenneth Allan McDuff, a death row inmate who was paroled during his life sentence. McDuff then raped and murdered a group of women just 3 days after he was paroled. “These [victims of murder] are not just names on a piece of paper, these are living breathing human beings.”
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FEATURES
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The aftermath of the 2008 Great Recession Jo Lowry Senior Reporter
It has been one decade since the crash of the stock market in September 2008. Although the crash of the economy happened 10 years ago, there are still people who are recovering from the events that happened, including students at West Texas A&M University. “Although I am graduating from college soon with a fulltime job waiting for me, I still only would make enough to maintain a car payment and to pay rent. I also have to think about how I will pay for my student loans, and this gives me more stress than anything,” said Ben Ulloa, senior biochemistry major at WTAMU. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 777.68 points on Sept. 29, 2008. This meant that the value of various companies decreased exponentially in a short amount of time. This includes AIG, an insurance company, Lehman Brothers, a global finances firm, and Washington Mutual, a savings bank holding company. All three of these companies filed for bankruptcy, and Washington Mutual is not in business anymore because of the fall of the economy.
“The Dow bounced around 11,000 [points] until Sept. 29, when the Senate voted against the bailout bill,” said thebalance.com, in a story about the stock market crash. “The Dow fell 777.68 points, the most in any single day in history.” The bailout bill was an act that was going to be used to help businesses from failing. By using the bailout bill, or the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, it would clear the debts, pensions, and hedge funds from the history books in businesses. Many people found themselves without a job and without a way to provide for their families. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that before the Great Recession, the unemployment rate was at 5 percent, but in June 2009, it was at 9.1 percent. It peaked at 10 percent in October 2009. Others had invested in stocks, and when the points fell in the Dow, their stocks dropped in their value. On the other hand, there were those who were not affected greatly by the decline in stocks. “From late 2007 to early 2010, payroll jobs would decrease by about 8.7 million, sending the jobless rate to a 10 percent peak,” said National Public Radio
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
in a story that featured the 10-year anniversary of the Great Recession. Although the stock market has had time to recover, people still feel the effects. The wages are not being increased to follow the rise of prices in stores and with the housing market. The market is not much different than it was before the collapse. “Despite almost ten years of economic growth, real wages are stuck at their precrisis level, while corporate profits are soaring and stock prices have reached record highs. All the misshapen economic trends of the previous decade are still with us,” said The New Yorker,
with a story that recapped the beginning of 2008 and the downfall of the stock market. The economy has not fully recovered, but neither have some people who went through the turmoil of losing retirement savings, losing their house, and being let go from their job. Many invested their savings into the stock market in an attempt to earn more money as the market seemed to be on the incline. “Take Karen Moyers, 58, of Conroe, Texas. After building up her savings in the hairdressing business, she lost nearly all of it in an investment fund managed by
a financial advisor during the crash. Now, she is working in a jewelry store for lower wages than she once made and only has enough savings to live on for about a year should she lose her job,” said CNN. The stock market has been on the rise, but there are parts that still are in the recovery phase since the Great Recession. This includes the housing market being at an all-time high, but the wages being the same as before the crash. This can be a hindrance to young people who are looking to buy a house after graduating college.
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HOMECOMING
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Savannah Wesley/The Prairie Freshmen BOLT members Quinton Smith, Tanner Mahan and Calli Pearson team up to rake leaves during the Work-A-Thon event on Saturday Sept. 29 in preparation for Homecoming Week.
Savannah Wesley/The Prairie The team One Hit Wonder, the crew for the on-campus radio station 91.1 The One, ready themselves for the whistle to start off the Homecoming Dodgeball Tournament Wednesday Oct. 3 at the Virgil Henson Activities Center.
Savannah Wesley/The Prairie Pancakes and Karaoke took place Thursday Oct. 4 at the Alumni Banquet Hall and is put on every year around midterms as a way to raise spirits for students and celebrating making it to the half-way point of the semester.
Layce Donnell/The Prairie Convocation took place Thursday Oct. 4 at the First United Bank Center and is a way to instill a sense of WTAMU pride and loyalty into freshman for their Alma Mater.
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HOMECOMING
Layce Donnell/The Prairie The Weenie Roast is a popular Homecoming tradition for WTAMU students and alumni alike and junior advertising and public relations major, Matthew Renteria shows campus how it’s done.
Hannah Nelson/The Prairie The student organization F1RSTGEN show true Buffalo pride during the Homecoming parade Saturday Oct. 6 before the WTAMU Homecoming football game.
Layce Donnell/The Prairie Many students, such as freshman general business major, Starlia Newman and freshman bio chemistry major, Kallie Cox, help out with the Weenie Roast since it is a WTAMU tradition.
Hannah Nelson/The Prairie The Homecoming parade is a way for student organizations to show their pride for WTAMU and spread loyalty to the Alma Mater.
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10 FEATURES
October 16, 2018
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Latinx poets reflect on today’s art and society
to express that,” Chavez said. “We can think about the things we’re not talking Poetry is an art that has about.” Chavez talked about influenced much of history. It expressing herself in today’s is a way to express the views of society and how different society. She said society does political and social groups feel influence her work, but she towards changes. Poetry tells does not explicitly seek out the stories of many who are writing poetry about conflicts currently happening. affected by today’s changes. Much of her poetry is The Distinguished Lecture Series and the WTAMU about her culture. In one of Spanish program hosted a her poems she says, “But my poetry reading and discussion Spanish is my language too showcasing the performances and I know I should know.” of Sarah Chavez and Eloisa Chavez said that she knows Amezcua at 6 p.m. Tuesday, what people are saying when Oct. 2, in the Fine Arts they speak Spanish, but she struggles with actually Complex Recital Hall. The event titled “Poetics speaking the language. “I have a lot of anxiety of Crisis: Latinx Expression Today” featured the works around my lack of fluency in of Latinx poets, Amezcua Spanish,” Chavez said. Chavez’s first experience and Chavez. The poets with poetry was when her discussed what it means to be a minority in America grandfather got her a book and how to express emotions of limericks. Chavez and her friend began writing about society today. “The energy of the limericks making fun of her country right now is just so friend’s mother. When her oppressive,” Chavez said. mom found out, she was so “Art provides us that vein for hurt and burned the journal in front of them. empathy.” “That’s when I realized Chavez writes poetry based poetry had the power to on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and working class create that sort of reaction,” identities. Chavez performed Chavez said. “I didn’t think works from her most recent this is where my life was book published in 2017, gonna go.” Chavez and Amezcua “Hands that Break and Scar.” “[Poetry] allows ourselves reflected on their life as Allegra Mora Senior Reporter
Photo courtesy of Dr. Eric Meljac Poets Amezcua and Chavez speak with Jacuinde during a discussion
Latinas in the United States. Amezcua is an Arizona native with a bachelor of arts in English. She said she writes a lot of poetry based on the struggles women go through on a daily basis and what it’s like coming from immigrant parents. Amezcua has traveled across the country and has spoken in many different places, including a men’s prison to talk about art in their writing group. She had not written much poetry until she took a poetry workshop in college. “I just needed someone to open the door for me and tell me I could,” Amezcua said.
Amezcua read poetry from her book, “From the Inside Quietly.” She writes a lot about family and culture. She said a lot of her poems are about her mother. “This book is so much about my mom. So much so, she wants royalties,” Amezcua said. She explained that seeing people engage in her performance reminds her that she is not only writing for herself. Poets Amezcua and Chavez both spoke about the influence of politics and society and how it affects their poetry. They both write poetry because of the power
it can have on a movement. After both poets performed some of their pieces, a round table discussion took place. The questions ranged from today’s politics to dealing with art and life. Amezcua said she does not have a distinction between her life and art. Her life influences how she writes poetry. CAMP Outreach Advisor, Mireya Jacuinde, led the discussion. Jacuinde said she could relate to the poets because her parents were also immigrants. “Art is what persists beyond a movement,” Amezcua said. “The art being made now is valuable.”
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ENTERTAINMENT 11
Alumni honored at COMM Hall of Fame Hannah Nelson Entertainment Editor A theatre director, an attorney, a speech and debate coach and an operations manager. Four people with different careers, but they have one thing in common. For these individuals their careers all started in the communication department of West Texas A&M University. The Department of Communication inducted four new members into the Communication Hall of Fame on Sept. 28 at the WTAMU Legacy Hall. The Communication Hall of Fame honored and recognized distinct alumni of the department that have made impacts in their field and are an active member in the community. This year’s event, hosted by alumni and past Rising Star award recipient Kirk Scarbrough, inducted four members, Jason Crespin, Dan Morgan and couple Mellessa and Steven Denny. “The things that we learned there [at WTAMU] still come into play and still influence us...even when life kind of throws things at you, you can go back to what you learned,” Mellessa Denny said. Mellessa and Steven
Denny are the first inductees to be nominated as a couple. Mellessa is a 1997 graduate and high school speech and debate coach. Throughout her career she has coached many students to state and national success. Her husband Steven Denny works as a criminal defense lawyer. He graduated in 1996 with his bachelor’s before getting his law degree from Texas Tech University. “It all started there, so it is definitely fitting that we are still being recognized as a couple,” Steven Denny said. Another inductee of the night was 2006 graduate Jason Crespin. Crespin was inducted for his work as academy director of the Amarillo Little Theater. He has also worked on a variety of projects including being a finalist on “Live with Kelly”. Since working at the Amarillo Little Theater, he has improved the attendance and growth of the theater. “I just feel honored that I am still working in our community and still proud to be a buff,” inductee Crespin said. The fourth inductee for the night was Dan Morgan the operations manager at KAMR-TV. Morgan graduated with his bachelor’s degree from WTAMU in
1991 and attended graduate school from 1997 to 2003. Throughout his career Morgan has contributed to the growth of the media field and has received numerous accolades for his work. “It is very humbling we have had a lot of great alumni go through the halls of WT over the years and to be included in this group I am very honored,” Morgan said. Along with these inductees, the department also gave out a few other awards. They recognized its two Rising Star award recipients Wilson Lemieux and Brittany Sarrett. This award is dedicated to recent alumni that have made major accomplishments. The Campus Partner award was given to Chief Information Officer James Webb and the Community Partner award to the Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council. From last year’s event the department was able to fund the “Slow and Steady” scholarship started by this year’s Rising Star recipient Wilson Lemieux. This year the event raised money for the “Dig In” scholarship, seeded by Randy and Anita Ray. “When you start a scholarship fund, in order
Photo courtesy of Rik Andersen 2018 Communication Hall of Fame award recipients. Rising Star award recipient Brittany Sarret (not pictured).
for it to start throwing off enough interest to grant one $500 scholarship, we have to have $10,000 dollars,” Communication Department Head Dr. Trudy Hanson said. During the ceremony, short documentaries of the of the Hall of Fame inductees where shown. These documentaries were created by current students enrolled in the Advanced Video class at WTAMU, taught by Associate Lecturer and Director of Broadcast Engineering Randy Ray. “The stories that we were able to tell through our work were amazing and certainly would not have been possible without our notable new inductees of the WT Communication Hall of
Fame,” said Advanced Video student Stevie Simmons. During the night, the inductees were able to enjoy their time celebrating their accomplishments and reconnect with people from WTAMU. It was a night for all members of the Communication Department to come together and honor its inductees. “Our life is filled with people who are WT graduates and they are still our community. We still have a community even though we don’t step foot on the campus every single day and we don’t take class we are still connected to those same people,” Mellessa Denny said.
12 FEATURES
October 16, 2018
Recreation: A flashback in time Jo Lowry Senior Reporter
Open the doors, and what can be seen? Graphics all over the purple walls, Pac Man trails on the floors, and a restaurant with video games dating back to the 1980s. One of Canyon’s newest businesses brings a new atmosphere to The Square. Recreation opened in February 2018 and began selling burgers and tacos in hopes of bringing life back to Canyon. “It’s not that The Square needed to be improved, it was just that there needed to be more of an incentive to come over here and enjoy the town,” said Toby Brohlin, the general manager at Recreation. The new restaurant offers a variety of burgers ranging from the “Hangover,” a beef patty, ketchup, egg, and a hashbrown to the “I Can’t Believe it’s not a Burger,” a black bean patty with avocado, and goat cheese. “The restaurant has something for everyone, and if you don’t like burgers, there are always tacos, which are just as tasty,” said Jordan Molnar, a regular at Recreation. The food isn’t the only unique quality about
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Student from Updates Government the Student Government Update Savannah Wesley Senior Reporter
Layce Donnell/The Prairie
Recreation is located in the Shops on 5th Avenue and offers an array of burgers, tacos, and drinks.
Recreation. The restaurant has video games lining the brick wall so people can enjoy themselves or play with another person on the multiplayer option while they wait for their food. “There are several arcade systems complete with nearby tables to hold your drinks, not to mention the unique arcade-game-in-atable,” John White, a Google reviewer for Recreation said. “I’ve easily spent more time playing than I did eating.” Recreation hosts trivia night on Tuesday nights, which is a time for adults to come in, grab a burger or taco, a drink from the bar, and compete with teams in
themed trivia. Some of the themes for previous trivias include Harry Potter and Rick and Morty. “You get to pick your own team name, there is usually a lot of laughing, and it’s fun and it attracts a younger crowd, which is something newer to the Canyon area,” Molnar said. With a reputation for having the most unique flavor combinations, especially in the “Lunch Box” burger, a burger with peanut butter, jam, bacon, and fried pickles, Recreation is hoping to attract more young adults and college students. “The students at WT are important to us. They need
to have a place that feels younger and has a more inviting atmosphere, and I think that is what we are, or what we hope to be for them,” Brohlin said. Recreation is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and is located at 1512 5th Avenue, Suite 103. They serve from 11:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. most nights and through 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. “With an environment like ours, don’t be afraid to come in and enjoy the food, drinks, and games. Everyone is welcome,” Brohlin said. “We are hoping to bring life back into the Square of Canyon.”
This what our our Student Student This is is what Government is talking Government is talking about about this month. These are this month. The senators are initiatives discussing: the senators are discussing thisofyear: • Extension the • Extension of the for payment deadline payment tuition. deadline for tuition • Installing Buff Print in all • Installing Buff Print in of the residential halls. all of the residential halls • Placing security cameras • Placing security in parking lots forcameras safety in parking lots for and a parking spotsafety finder and app.a parking spot finder • app Implementing a • Implementing a in matching system matching system in scholarship services scholarship services to help students find to help students scholarships theyfind qualify scholarships they qualify for. for • Reinstating “Food Truck • Reinstating Friday”. “Food Truck • Friday” Providing an “opt out” • Providing out” option for and cable“opt in the option in the dorms for andcable increasing dorms and increasing internet speeds. speeds • internet Introducing a Chat Bot • Introducing a Chat Bot on WT’s website. on WT’s website • Increasing “walking • Increasing “walking time” between classes for time” between classes next fall. next Fall of a • for Introduction • Introduction a MulticulturalofCenter. Multicultural Center • Suggesting the Honors • Suggesting the Honors College be more transfer College be more student friendly. transfer student friendly
October 16, 2018
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EDITORIAL 13
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Nike Inc. is capitalizing on past controversy Savannah Wesley Senior Reporter “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything” was displayed on an image of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do it” movement. Mostly known for kneeling during the national anthem during an NFL football game in 2016, Kaepernick has now become the face of Nike’s latest ad campaign. The now exiled quarterback originally protested against police brutality against minorities in response to the multiple shootings that had been happening previous to the NFL season. Not long after, he was released from the 49ers and no NFL team has hired him since. One major argument presented is that kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful to soldiers and veterans. These men and women fight and have fought for the rights of the American people and those who oppose the protest feel it is a spit in the eye of those who have fought and died. Standing during the anthem is also a way for Americans to show respect for the nation and to display
a sense of unity. To show that citizens are equals and are loyal to their country. The anthem even states that citizens “will stand up” with others to defend their nation and protect rights of the citizens who live in this country. Protesters of Nike’s support of Kaepernick have been expressing their dislike for Nike and kneeling during the anthem in a rather backwards way. In an attempt to discourage people from buying their product, they have been purchasing Nike products and burning them as a sign of protest. Which does not really do much to hurt Nike’s sales. It does quite the opposite. Many Americans express the fact that they are protected under the First Amendment to freely express their thoughts and beliefs. Veterans and soldiers fought for American citizens to express and use these rights freely. They believed in fighting for American rights even if it meant sacrificing their lives. Kneeling is not an issue for many veterans and soldiers because some will kneel along with protesters in support of the movement to end police brutality against minorities. At many high schools,
during a football game, if a player gets injured on the field, both teams kneel as a sign of respect. More often than not, the band does the same and even spectators in the stands. Everyone kneels while medical personal makes it onto the field and stay kneeling until the player stands up and is assisted to the sideline or is taken off the field on a gurney. Kaepernick even asked Army vet and former long snapper for the Seahawks Nate Boyer how to protest without insulting the armed forces. The now exiled football player originally started his protest by sitting but changed to kneeling after
speaking with Boyer. He suggested kneeling because it shows more respect for those who sacrificed their lives for what the anthem and the flag stand for. Boyer proposed kneeling, because people kneel to pray and soldiers will often kneel before a fallen soldier’s grave. The whole point of Kaepernick’s protest was to raise awareness and to put an end to police brutality against minorities, which many Americans seem to have forgotten. Nike is simply stating their stance and capitalizing on the controversy that supporting Kaepernick will provide.
Illustration by Savannah Wesley/The Prairie
Nike is a huge sponsor for the NFL but hired someone who was using their NFL status to raise awareness of their protest and movement. This was most likely done to gain more awareness of their product and capitalize on the movement that Kaepernick started two years ago. Despite what protesters think, burning Nike’s product and boycotting it will do next to nothing to Nike’s sales. If anything, the movement protesters are starting will just raise more awareness for Nike and may even give them a boost.
14 SPORTS
October 16, 2018
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Lady Buff golf team is all “fore” teamwork
Alyssa Gonzales Sports Editor
The No. 5 ranked Lady Buffs golf team have started the season strong with a number of both team and individual successes. The team has placed in the top three in every tournament they have participated in so far and many of the players have performed impressively throughout the season. “The girls have very effective, efficient practices. We have a team culture that allows them to work on specific things individually to keep progressing and improving each week,” said Meredith Jameson, head coach of the Lady Buff golf team. The Lady Buffs opened their season in Salinas, California where they placed first at the Cal State University-Monterey Bay Lady Otter Invitational. The team also placed third at their first medal match at the Dallas Baptist Medal Match Play Event in Grand Prairie, Texas. “We got some good one on one against some top 20 teams there [Dallas] for our ranking,” Jelina Fernando, junior said. The players credit much of their success to the closeness of the team and
the support from both the their fellow teammates and the coaching staff. “We spend a lot of time with each other and we want each other to succeed,” Fernando said. “When you know your teammates have your best interests, you want to go out there and perform your best for them.” Being a student athlete comes with many responsibilities on and off the course. Along being part of the team, players must also dedicate their time to classes and school work. “We’re one of the only sports that play in the fall
of being on the team and the close friendships that they have formed while being a part of it. “We look out for each other...communication is really important. We just
October 1-2. The Lady Buffs placed first at their home tournament at the Tascosa Golf Club La Paloma Course in Amarillo, Texas. Songsprasert won her first individual title at the tournament and was When you know your teammates named the LSC’s Women’s have your best interests, you Golfer of the week for the second time this season. want to go out there and “It’s just great to be able perform your best for them. to be here, it’s not as hard - Jelina Fernando on the girls with travel, know that if you have work make sure that everyone is they don’t miss quite as to do when you’re away, ok in golf, in school, and in much class. Plus, there’s you’ve got to get it done.” life,” said junior Songprasert. just such an advantage to Both Fernando and The Lady Buffs hosted and being on your home course Loukyee Songprasert competed at the WTAMU and knowing the greens,” spoke of the importance Lady Buffs Invitational on coach Jameson, said. and the spring. We travel for a least 3 days so we miss a lot of monday and tuesday school,” said Fernando. “As a student athlete you just become really good at time management and you
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Photo Courtey of Jimmy Jameson The Lady Buffs placed first in the WTAMU Lady Buff Invitational in Amarillo, Texas.
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October 16, 2018
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SPORTS 15
theprairienews.com
The Buffs are back in town for homecoming
Alyssa Gonzales Sports Editor
In an exhilarating final homecoming game at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, the Buffaloes of West Texas A&M battled their way to victory over the Falcons of UT-Permian Basin. The Buffs have kicked, passed, and ran on Kimbrough’s turf since 1959 with a slew of devoted fans to cheer them on along the way. “We’re playing for people who have been here in the past, who come back and watch us every year and it’s kind of bittersweet,” said redshirt junior, Kevon Thomas. Returning home after a big win over Central Washington last week, the Buffs prepared mentally and physically coming into their homecoming game with confidence in their offense, defense, and special teams. “Going into this year we’ve had that mentality, it’s us against everyone else. We solidified what we can do,” redshirt senior, Michael Whitfield, said. “We’re closer, we want everyone to be there for each other. We just want to play and that’s one of the biggest things.” UTPB kicked things off
Photo Courtesy of Emilio Sanchez The WTAMU Buffs had a victorious homecoming with a 42-21 win against the UT- Permian Basin Falcons. with an 82-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. The Buffs caught up with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Duke Carter IV with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter. Carter IV managed to have another impressive night, scoring a total of four rushing touchdowns. “The more carries he [Duke Carter] gets, the stronger he gets, said Hunter Hughes, head coach of the football team. “As the game goes on, he just continues to get better.” The Buffs would go on
to score early in the second after a 49-yard drive ending with a 17-yard pass complete from Justin Houghtaling to Jordan Johnson. After an impressive 66-yard punt return by Tobias Harris, the Buffs continue to lead the Falcons 21-7. However, UTPB wouldn’t stop there, scoring twice more tying it up 21-21 at the end of the first half. The Buffs defense came out strong in the second half, stopping UTPB before regaining the lead once again with a 1-yard
touchdown run by Carter IV. This put the Buffs up 28-21 before the end of the third quarter. Carter IV continued to dominate, scoring his third touchdown of the night with a 7-yard run to put the Buffs up 35-21. Carter IV would score his fourth and final touchdown of the night after a 31-yard run, largely contributing to the Buffaloes’ 42-21 victory over UTPB. The Buffs managed to s eal a win on the field that buff nation has called home
for 60 years, adding to long lasting tradition and culture that the West Texas A&M football team has created throughout the years. “The history of Kimbrough speaks for itself with the types of games, the amount of games, and what they’ve done here,” Coach Hughes said. “I’m happy to be a part of it, it’s kind of like the closing of a chapter and the opening of a new chapter as we go on to this new stadium.”
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October 16, 2018
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